Photo © Mike Wall

Locust Bean Moth

Apomyelois ceratoniae

Checklist Number
62.040 [B&F: 1460]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Pyralidae
Subfamily:Phycitinae
Genus:Apomyelois
Species:ceratoniae
Authority:(Zeller, 1839)

Naturalised in warehouses following accidental introduction in dried fruit throughout the British Isles, but especially in ports such as London and Liverpool, and quite frequent at light in urban areas where presumed to have originated from greengrocers and supermarkets. In Hampshire found on three occasions in 1967 in Southampton Docks, and taken twice at light in Southsea, probably from a similar source, the latest in 2013. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 19-28 mm. Most likely to be confused with Mediterranean Flour Moth Ephestia kuehniella, another warehouse specialist, but smaller with narrower wings and lacking conspicuous blackish edging to cross-lines [Goater]. Larva feeds on dried fruit and nuts, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Southampton (SU41)04/08/1967oneDavid AppletonAdult
Southampton (SU41)08/08/1967oneDavid AppletonAdult
Southampton (SU41)22/08/1967oneDavid AppletonAdult
Southsea (SZ69)18/06/1976oneJohn R LangmaidAdult
Southsea (SZ69)18/06/1976oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Southsea (SZ69)06/07/2013oneJ R LangmaidAdult